SUSTAINABILITY IN A MATURE MASS TOURISM DESTINATION: THE CASE OF HAWAII

This article describes the recent efforts of the state of Hawaii, USA, a mass tourism destination in the Pacific, to bring new understanding, knowledge, and policy to improve the quality and sustainability of tourism across the islands. The study, described in some detail in the article, consisted of three main parts: an Infrastructure and Environmental Overview Study, an Economic and Environmental Assessment Modeling Study, and a Public Input and Socio-Cultural Impact Study. The methodology, results, and challenges experienced in each of the three studies are discussed. The article also extrapolates the experience in Hawaii to other mass tourism destinations seeking to improve their sustainability.